Spatial distribution of phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators on Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) trees in the Cerrado

Authors

  • Joyce Gomes Damascena Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM
  • Germano Leão Demolin Leite Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Insetário G. W. G. De Moraes, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Farley William Souza Silva Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Marcus Alvarenga Soares Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM
  • Rafael Eugênio Maia Guanabens Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Regynaldo Arruda Sampaio Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • José Cola Zanuncio Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Departamento de Entomologia, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Keywords:

abundance, biodiversity, natural enemies, savannah,

Abstract

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (Fabaceae) is widely used to regenerate degraded landscapes in tropical and subtropical regions and serves as a protein source for animals in agrosilvopastoral systems. Thus, our objective was to assess the spatial distribution of insects on the tree crown (vertical: upper, middle, and basal canopy; horizontal: north, south, east, and west) and leaf surfaces (adaxial and abaxial) of L. leucocephala. Phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators were quantified fortnightly in 20 trees for 2 yr. North-facing tree branches had the greatest numbers of phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators. Branches facing west had the most species-rich and biodiverse phytophagous and pollinator assemblages, whereas for natural enemies, species richness and biodiversity were greatest on branches facing north or south. The greatest numbers of individuals and highest levels of species richness of phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators were observed in the upper and middle parts of the L. leucocephala canopy. The most individuals and highest levels of species richness and biodiversity for phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators were observed on the abaxial face of L. leucocephala leaves. The species with the highest abundance and k-dominance (common or constant species) on L. leucocephala trees were the phytophagous insects Trigona spinipes F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae) and Tropidacris collaris Stoll (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) and the natural enemies Camponotus sp.2 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Brachymyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These results can inform strategies related to pest control and maintenance of natural enemies and pollinators in L. leucocephala plantations. Biopesticide application, for example, may be more effective at eliminating target organisms if directly applied on their preferred sites, and a targeted application can minimize negative effects for non-target organisms.

 

Resumen

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) Wit (Fabaceae) es ampliamente usada en el proceso de recuperación de suelos degrados en regiones tropicales y subtropicales así como fuente de proteínas para animales en sistemas agroforestales. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la distribución espacial de los insectos en las copas de las árboles (vertical- parte mas alta, parte media e parte baja de la copa del arbol; y en la horizontal- norte, sur, este y oeste) y en las susperficies de hojas (adaxial y abaxial) de árboles de L. leucocephala. Los insectos fitófagos, enemigos naturales y polinizadores fueron cuantificados dos veces por mes en 20 árboles durante dos años. El número, mas grande, de fitófagos, enemigos naturales y polinizadores individuales fueron observados en las ramas orientadas al norte. La mayor riqueza de especies y biodiversidad de fitófagos se observaron en las ramas orientadas al oeste y para los enemigos naturales y polinizadores en las ramas orientadas al norte/sur y oeste, respectivamente. Los mayores valores de individuos, riqueza de especies, biodiversidad de fitófagos, enemigos naturales y polinizadores fueron observados en la parte mas alta y media de la copa del arbol de L. leucocephala. Los fitófagos y enemigos naturales mas abundantes y con la mas grande k-dominancia observados en las muestras (común/especie constante) fueron L. leucocephala y Trigona spinipes F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponinae), Tropidacris collaris Stoll (Orthoptera: Romaleidae), Camponotus sp.2 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) y Brachymyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), respectivamente. Estos resultados pueden ser un soporte para programas de reducción del uso de pesticidas y conservacion de enemigos naturales y polinizadores en plantaciones de L. leucocephala. Por ejemplo, aplicaciones de biopesticidas pueden alcanzar mejores resultados si esta dirigido a organismos de destino, mas allá de minimizar los efectos negativos en aquellos que no son de destino.

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Published

2017-10-10

Issue

Vol. 100, No. 3 (September 2017)

Section

Research Papers

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